Mock-up cover and printing notes for Watt

Mock-up cover and printing notes for Watt

Beckett, Samuel, 1906-1989. Watt.

Materials toward the printing of Beckett's novel Watt, from the Alexander Trocchi Papers. First published by Olympia Press / Collection Merlin: Paris, 1953. The book was first published in an edition of 1,125 copies. 

Beckett, Samuel

MSS116 Box 37 Folder 28

http://archon.wulib.wustl.edu/index.php?p=collections/findingaid&id=567&rootcontentid=91149&q=bowles#id107343

circa 1953

Trocchi, Alexander

http://rightsstatements.org/page/InC/1.0/ 

PR6003.E282 W3 1953 Spec Copy 1: Off-white paper wrappers; glassine dust jacket. In a specially designed protective case, 22 cm.

Spec Copy 1: First edition, fine paper issue (limited to 25 lettered copies, all signed by the author).

Spec Copy 2: Crimson paper wrappers. Bears the author's autograph signature on title page.

Spec Copies 2-3: First edition, trade issue.

Spec Copy 3: In a specially designed protective case, 20 cm. Leaf for p. 17/18 misbound during restoration work. Bears the author's signed autograph presentation inscription to Aidan Higgins. Also bears the author's ms. additions to text on p. 19.

MSS008 Box 4 Folder 72: Watt Galley proof, 86 pages. 1 item; Folder 73: Watt Typescript [photocopy], 1 page. 1 item. Includes identifying note by Henry Wenning.

Grove Press wanted to publish an edition immediately. Beckett wrote to Barney Rossett on 1 September 1953: “Watt I believe is now out, but I have not yet seen it. Standards of book presentation are not the same here as with you and the resources of Merlin are very limited. What matters to me is that this work refused by a score of London publishers in the years following the war is at last between boards. A handsomer edition in America would of course give me great pleasure.” -Letters of Samuel Beckett, 1941-1956, pp 397-398

1941-1956 exhibit case